London, Feb, 17.
Mr. Arthur Henderson, the Foreign Secretary, in the House of Commons to-day, said in reply to question, that while British Diplomatic ' representatives were at all- times prepared to give all Proper support to the efforts of British exporters to secure contracts and orders abroad, the Foreign Office was considering the advisability of strength the commercial side of the Diplomatic Stam, He added that when Diplomatic representatives came home and called at the Foreign Office, he had made it his business to impress upon them that they should give all possible attention to the matter: of increasing British trade abroad.
The Secretary for India was asked whether he had information of tribal unrest on the Indian Frontier and in Afghanistan, and when it was expected that the British Minister would be able to proceed to Kabul.
He replied that a certain section of the Shinwari tribe had captured the Afghan frontier post of Spina Katha on the Kabul-Peshawar road on February 10, but that this post was recaptured by the Afghans on February 13. Communication was suspended during this disturbance, but so far as he was aware would now be restored, He added that the British Minister had left London this morning, and that it was expected he would be able to reach Kabul some time in March, Asked whether negoti taken place with the Government regarding the construe. tion of the Zambesi Bridge, Henderson said "On July 2 Inst, Osborne, British Charge d'- Lisbon, informed the Portuguese Government that the British Government had for some time past been considering the question of the construction of the bridge and were contemplating the possibility of a guarantee from Imperial Funds, Mr, Osborne expressed the hope that in the event of the British Government deciding to participate in the venture, the Portuguese G vernment would facilitate the construction of the bridge and generally extend their goodwill towards the scheme, In a reply, dated August 1, the Portuguese Government. pointed out that proper guarantees had already bbeon given in connection with the existing concession.
The Portuguese Government added that, in the absence of Zurther particulars, they could not make a decision but they gave an assurance that they were anxious to facilitate the projected enterprise in every: way possible—Wireless through Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.